Holder and Issa Trade Letters on Meeting to Avoid Contempt Vote

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Representative Darrell Issa continued to negotiate over meeting to head off contempt proceedings against the nation’s leading law enforcement official for withholding documents related to a federal gun probe.

The two men traded letters today on how Holder can avoid a vote by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for contempt of Congress. Issa, the panel chairman and a California Republican, proposed a 5 p.m. meeting tomorrow in a congressional office building.

Tracy Schmaler, a Justice Department spokeswoman, didn’t immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages seeking comment on whether Holder is available then. Holder had suggested meeting at 11 a.m. in a letter released earlier today.

Issa has said the Justice Department hasn’t fully cooperated with a congressional investigation of Fast and Furious, a law enforcement operation that let illegal U.S. weapons purchases wind up in Mexico. The Justice Department said it has provided more than 7,600 pages of documents.

The department must turn over additional documents in advance of the meeting before any decision is made about postponing the contempt vote scheduled for June 20, Issa said.